In his opening “Talking Points” monologue on the Monday broadcast of “The O’Reilly Factor” on the Fox News Channel, host Bill O’Reilly pushed back against the criticism aimed at former Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Ben Carson for saying he would not advocate a Muslim becoming president of the United States on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.”

O’Reilly downplayed the importance such queries and said Carson is entitled to his opinion.

“It’s ridiculous Muslim stuff that the media is propelling,” O’Reilly said. “Dr. Carson believes that Islamic candidates don’t line up with Judeo-Christian philosophy – on which the country was founded – and he’s not allowed to say that? It’s his opinion!” O’Reilly said. “Here’s a bulletin: Unlike many Muslim countries, we have free speech in America, and Carson’s opinion shouldn’t disqualify him for anything but individual votes, if that be the case.”